Insigne: I would have played in goal for Italy
One of the Azzurri's most talented players, he was criminally underused as the four-time World Champions missed out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
Speaking to a Neapolitan paper, the 26-year-old star said that he was "sad" that Italy won't play in the World Cup.
"I’m genuinely sorry that I can’t play in the World Cup, that’s it,” he told Il Mattino.
“I would have played in goal for La Nazionale, because this is a shirt which needs to be respected without hesitation.
“The Coach made a different set of decisions, he believed that those were the right players to take us to the World Cup. There is no problem: this shirt is a symbol, and I want to wear it for many more years.
The 26-year-old was adamant that there was no problem with the Coach :
“It doesn’t matter who plays, the decisions must always be accepted. I even did when I was used for only a minute”.
The Napoli star had further words for his team-mates, especially the veterans, who reportedly wanted Insigne to play. Daniele De Rossi refused to play in the final minutes as a sub, insisting that an attacking player (like Insigne) come on.
"I thanked Daniele because he did something great, like a true leader who wants to help the team.”